diff --git a/src/libcamera/v4l2_videodevice.cpp b/src/libcamera/v4l2_videodevice.cpp
index e30858c9fa02..ed446c25e45f 100644
--- a/src/libcamera/v4l2_videodevice.cpp
+++ b/src/libcamera/v4l2_videodevice.cpp
@@ -1533,6 +1533,9 @@ int V4L2VideoDevice::importBuffers(unsigned int count)
  */
 int V4L2VideoDevice::releaseBuffers()
 {
+	if (!cache_)
+		return;
+
 	LOG(V4L2, Debug) << "Releasing buffers";
 
 	delete cache_;